Professor Ivor Sarakinsky from the Wits School of Governance, and Public Relations Strategist, Makhosini Nkosi discuss the state of the Democratic Alliance.
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance's seen its fair share of controversy in recent months.
It picked up key metropolitan municipalities around the country following the 2016 local government elections but, governing has brought about a few headaches.
Since the 2016 Local Government elections, the Democratic Alliance has increased its electoral footprint, becoming the largest party in four of the five largest metros.
READ: 'Only some people are entitled to rights': De Lille on the DA
The power has not been without problems. They lost the mayor's chain in Nelson Mandela Bay after sometimes raucous council sittings.
In Tshwane allegations of corruption won't die down and in Cape Town, five DA councillors resigned in an open council sitting in support of outgoing mayor Patricia De Lille.
Some political analysts say this is only indicative of a maturing political party coming to terms with power.
Political analyst, Sanusha Naidu, commented, "If this is what maturation means then it's not a very good sign for a party that's strengthening, consolidating its footprint. I think its matured. It still needs to increase its footprint amongst the electorate. But its definitely moving into a space of maturity."
The party has ambitions of taking over in Gauteng and the Northern Cape in the 2019 General Elections.
Naidu stated, "The DA has used the Western Cape as a model to contest other provinces particularly at the municipality level. So whether this is a model they going to use and export as a framework, it hasn't bode well as a fairly... a model they have been able to sustain."
"It may work in the Western Cape but it may not have the same traction in other provinces."
DA leaders say they're not concerned and are confident of their track record.
Bondingkosi Madikizela, the DA Western Cape leader said, "we seen this playing itself out towards every election you find people who break away."
"I think this has been the history of parties in SA. But if you look at the DA we've been growing consistently."
Analysts say the DA needs to put up a united front if it wants to make any dent in the ANC's electoral majority at the 2019 polls.
